Convict Lake & Sherwin Creek
near Mammoth Lakes · near Mammoth Lakes · Eastern Sierra
Nordic & Snowshoe
At a glance
- Best season
- Dec–Mar; dependable snow (~7,600 ft)
What is here
- Activities
- snowshoe · backcountry
- Setting
- lake
- Amenities
- Jewel-like frozen lake · Dramatic peak scenery · Short, accessible snowshoe · Near Mammoth
- Best for
- A short, scenic snowshoe
- Features
- Stunning Convict Lake basin · Dramatic surrounding peaks · Easy, accessible snowshoe · Near Mammoth
Worth knowing
- Hazards
- Ungroomed — self-navigate · Avalanche runout near steep walls · Cold, wind · Layers & awareness
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Guides, rentals and operators
- Rentals
- No
Nordic & Snowshoe detail
- Venue
- backcountry
- Ability
- beginner
- Snow
- 4
- Trail notes
- A short, spectacular snowshoe around a jewel-like lake framed by dramatic peaks — one of the eastern Sierra's most scenic and accessible winter walks, just off Highway 395
- Terrain note
- ~7,600 ft lake basin; ungroomed; dependable snow
- Intl tip
- One of the eastern Sierra's most scenic, accessible winter outings, just off Hwy 395 near Mammoth: a short, gentle snowshoe (or ski) around jewel-like Convict Lake, where the sheer banded walls of Mount Morrison and Laurel Mountain rise dramatically from the frozen shore. Easy, family-friendly, mostly flat — a favorite quick stop. Ungroomed (self-navigate), and the steep walls can shed avalanches, so keep clear of runout zones and stay snow-aware. Dependable snow at ~7,600 ft; dress warmly. Huge scenery for little effort.
The guide
Convict Lake, a jewel of a lake cradled beneath towering, colorful peaks just off Highway 395 near Mammoth, is one of the most …
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Convict Lake & Sherwin Creek — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 37.59, -118.86